ShoXC great for the sport

By Matt Bishop

Created:
10/13/08 6:53pm

Last updated:
10/13/08 6:53pm

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While I criticize EliteXC for many things, running “ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series” shows isn’t one of them.

ShoXC is a breeding ground for up-and-coming fighters whom are expected to make the jump (or return) to EliteXC within a few fights.

Fighters like KJ Noons, Eddie Alvarez, Charles Bennett, Wilson Reis, Javier Vazquez, Shayna Baszler, Paul Daley, Fabricio Camoes and many more have competed on Showtime for the chance to reach the big show.

The latest ShoXC, which went down Friday in Hammond, Ind., was another great example of why this format is successful.

EliteXC couldn’t find a spot for heavyweight prospect Dave “PeeWee” Herman on one of its recent cards, so they put him in ShoXC’s feature bout.

I absolutely love the format of a televised MMA show with up-and-comers.

It’s something boxing has on MMA — showcase fights with the young stars of the sport. While it’s great to see Floyd Mayweather fight, it’s also sometimes fun to flip on ESPN2 and watch “Friday Night Fights” or what helped spawn ShoXC, ShoBox, on Showtime.

It’s unfortunate that it appears the UFC has no interest in starting up a feeder show. Obviously, it could use the WEC for this purpose but the WEC’s television contract with Versus prohibits it.

Personally, I know I’d love the chance to be able to follow a fighter from being in the opening bout on a feeder show card to a title shot on one of the biggest shows of the year.

While I understand “The Ultimate Fighter” serves this purpose for the UFC in a way, not everybody can make the show and not everyone is interested in watching drunken escapades time and time again.

It’s different when a fighter gains notoriety for showcasing their skills time and time again and not because they got hammered and punched through a door on a reality TV show.

The UFC is making a big mistake by not setting up a developmental show. I know I’d tune into a UFC feeder show on SpikeTV every other Friday night.

This would serve a few purposes, as well.

One, the UFC could start holding fights at at least featherweight if not bantamweight. Two, this would clean up the quality of a lot of the pay-per-view cards, as well. If the UFC had a smaller show every once in awhile, we wouldn’t be subjected to paying $45 to see fights like Eddie Sanchez vs. Soa Palelei on the main card.

And honestly, if EliteXC can do it, why can’t the UFC?

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About The KO Corner

Sports Editor Matt Bishop examines the latest in mixed martial arts three times a week in The KO Corner.

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